By A Elango
New Delhi: Jesuits in the Indian national capital celebrated Christmas with people who have fled Myanmar because of internal displacement and other reasons. Some 5,000 refugees from Myanmar’s Chin state live in India.
The function was held on December 20 and Fr. George Pattery, provincial of South Asia, was the chief guest. He highlighted how Jesus himself was a refugee yet played a key role in salvation of human history.
Describing the life of Jesus, Fr. Pattery spoke the savior instilled hope in humanity. He urged refugees to live in hope which is the need of the hour and a favourable “time will come” to return to origin country.
The South Asia unit of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) organized the program. JRS runs a supplementary project for the needy urban refugees in Chanakyapuri, a suburb of south Delhi. JRS attends to the needs of most vulnerable section of Chin, who are mostly Christians since 2012.
JRS conducts Life Skill Education for refugees such as tailoring, computer and spoken English. The curriculum empowers the Chin community to live with hope, said T.Olive, a field coordinator of Chin Community since 2013.
Chin people sang Christmas carols, applauded Jesuit Father Denzil Fernandes, director of Indian Social Institute after the function.
Loyola Vocational Institute managed by the Delhi Jesuits issued certificates to the students.
One of the refugees, 46-year-old Grace agreed that the Christmas function instilled in her “hope” to lead life with dignity as she owns a machine and certificate. She looks forward to returning to her country to spread the message of hope among her people.
Jesuits and refugees also shared cake and snacks.